November 10, 2009

Employees Can Donate to Organizations That Make a Difference at Annual Benefits Fair

Case Western Reserve University employees have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands by donating to an agency of their choice during the 2009 Charity Choice Campaign. The annual campaign benefits hundreds of local and national nonprofit agencies which do everything from providing emergency food and shelter to "green" organizations that focus on making the world a little cleaner.

Although the campaign runs through December 15, employees will also have an opportunity to make a donation during the Benefits Fair today and Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Thwing Center, and to talk with representatives from the three umbrella agencies: Earth Share Ohio, Community Shares and United Way of Greater Cleveland.

For the 2009 Charity Choice Campaign, donors are able to:

Select from and direct their contribution to over 230 agencies

Direct pledges to Independent 501c3 organizations

Choose their monthly contribution rate for payroll deduction for each pledge

Track and update their contribution for the duration of the campaign

Employees can make their pledge to the campaign by using the university's online HCM System or by printing the online form. Payroll deductions begin January 1, 2010. All gift amounts are appreciated, and employees can donate to more than one charity.

The Charity Choice Campaign is an opportunity for Case Western Reserve to continue building its momentum in helping the Cleveland community. Last year, the Case Western Reserve community donated a little more than $201,000. Learn more about the three umbrella agencies:

Earth Share Ohio (ESO) is a federation working to raise donations for local, regional and national nonprofit conservation and environmental organizations. ESO beneficiary organizations strive to protect the future by providing vital services in the areas of environmental education, pollution prevention, recreation and trails, natural resources conservation, and much more.

Community Shares is the only Northeast Ohio workplace giving federation focused on advocacy and social change, and it is the second largest such fund in the country. For 21 years, Greater Cleveland Community Shares' member organizations have worked to meet community needs and support social justice through advocacy, education and empowerment.

United Way of Greater Cleveland is a leading convener and funder of partnerships focused on solutions for our community's health and human service priorities. United Way makes a difference in the lives of 450,000 people throughout Greater Cleveland.

Case Western Reserve University is committed to the free exchange of ideas, reasoned debate and intellectual dialogue. Speakers and scholars with a diversity of opinions and perspectives are invited to the campus to provide the community with important points of view, some of which may be deemed controversial. The views and opinions of those invited to speak on the campus do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration or any other segment of the university community.